rrender of the Cyprian strongholds
to a traitor: since more than one of the Commanders had been found so
staunch in loyalty as to question the validity of the royal signature.

When all had gone so well at first, these failures were exasperating to
a man of Rizzo's temper--the more so that the little Queen had refused
to prepare another letter of dismissal required of her; and Rizzo, the
stronger in wrath and insolence because his faith in his star was
somewhat less, had set forth himself to enforce the investiture of
Almerico as Commander of Cerines--the castle to which he had been
refused admittance on the morning of the uprising in Famagosta.

* * * * *

Venice, meanwhile, with her faculty for establishing confidence and
settling all things in order, having brought back the smiles of the
Court, had suggested the wisdom of relieving the strain and tickling the
fancy of the people by some pageant. There was to be a grand review of
the troops in the Piazza on the esplanade, in the presence of the Queen
and the infant Prince, at which the presentation by Her Majesty to the
Admiral Mocenigo of a golden shield, magnificently wrought with the arms
of Cyprus, would diplomatically suggest the important role that Venice
had played in the re-establishment of the Government.

Dama Ecciva was in her element again, now that something had happened to
scatter the unendurable dulness, and each day brought some new matter
for discussion.

"Hast heard, Eloisa, how that this new Council to Her Majesty hath
captured the Secretary of His Reverence the Archbishop? and they thought
to hang him for his master's treachery and his own; and then, because he
promised to confess to save his life, he is in the Castle instead. And
there were revelations!--and intrigues!--verily a Reverendissimo!"

"Name him not to me; I have no patience!"

"Thou hast never patience when I bring thee news: and it is tiresome of
thee, for one must talk, or die of ennui in this court!"

"Then let it be of something better." Eloisa answered in a tone which
showed her distaste of the subject.

"Choose thou--since one can never know thy whim. Shall it be of that
famous Saplana who runneth away to put himself in hiding;--for
fear--_verily for fear_--the Commander of Famagosta! afraid to die like
a man! A comedy!--one might laugh if it were less craven."

"One knoweth not if he be in hiding, since he is not found; he may be a
trait